I wanted to share another great example of using an everyday activity as a means of teaching a life lesson. I took Elliott to the grocery store with me and let him help me with every aspect of the shopping trip. This type of experience will help him build the real life skills he'll need to be able to do his own grocery shopping as he gets older.  This helps him learn to make wise food choices and also how to maintain a budget. He is learning to use the self check out and even bag the groceries. I love these little lessons.  :-) **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

This is Gavin's latest and greatest,  Lego creation.  I'm pretty sure I heard him mention something today about this being a modification of his previous jumbo jet. Either way,  this is significantly more intricate and he's quite proud of it,  as am I.  :-) **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

Tech4Autism Before I get into any of these reviews, I want to say a few things first. Typically, if I review a piece of technology, I focus on the specs and hardware. I'm a hardcore techy at heart and so I like to be on the bleeding edge of technology. I have experience developing on Android devices and I'm a recognized developer over at xda-developers. Having said that, while I'm a techy, I'm also a special needs father to 3 boys on the Autism Spectrum. Being a special needs parent myself, I realize how very limited time and money can be. I also know just how much the right technology can help a child with Autism not only learn, but also communicate and navigate their world. My intention is to…

I only have a second but I wanted to let you know that I succeeded in getting Emmett's speech and PT covered by insurance.  We received the letters this morning.  We don't know about OT yet but I expect the answer this week as well. I have already called Concord Kids to get him back on the schedule and I should hear back soon.  Hopefully,  this little snafu hasn't cost him his spot... My fingers are crossed..... **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

I'm the kind of person that finds a great deal meaning in music. I'm really trying to pass that on to my kids because music is such a powerful expression of ones soul. The words to a song can resonate with a person in a way nothing else could. A song has the power to heal someone in pain or change your perspective. For me personally, I love the way a song can instantly spark a memory and transport me back in time to a place of cherished memories. When I come across a song that provides me with inspiration or touches me in a way that impacts my life in a positive way, I like to share it with all of you. This song plays over and over in my…

I was driving Elliott to school this morning and he seemed troubled.  I asked him what was wrong.  He said that he was worried about one of his friends at school. According to Elliott,  one of his friends needs money or a member of their family was going to die. When I pressed Elliott for more information,  here didn't really have any.  Hey didn't know if the family member was a person or a pet.  Hey also said that her thinks they either need surgery or food. If they didn't get it,  they were going to die. Elliott wanted to know if he could bring his money to school tomorrow and give it to his friend.  I was so proud of his compassion that I was just marveling at the…

I haven't updated everyone as to how Lizze is doing,  well... in a really long time. This is mostly due to the fact that the kids have so much going on that it's really hard to keep up. If I had to sum up how Lizze was doing in only a few words,  it would be.... not good. To say that she is in a great deal of pain would be the understatement of the century. Her tremors are really bad and require Ativan to get them under control.  As you can imagine,  that presents other problems,  due to the nature of Ativan. Lizze has developed at least half a dozen knots or pinched nerves in her back,  neck and shoulder. They been there for months and will likely require…

I wanted to update everyone as to Gavin's current status. Since coming home on Friday night, he has been pretty stable. He's sleeping a whole lot right now but hasn't passed out at all or been anything more than nauseous. The Cleveland Clinic is reworking the schedule in so that Gavin can be seen,  ASAP. The biggest change right now is that Gavin cannot return to school for at least the remainder of this school year. He will be meeting at the library with a teacher and few hours a week and than working from home.  There is no way,  given the nature of this disorder that his body would tolerate the schedule within the class room. Hopefully,  he will be able to return this fall but there is simply…